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3 sheets-sheen.

r. W. WIESEBROGK. Process of and Apparatus for Desulphurizing and.

Preparing Ores. N0. 241,108. Patented May 3,]881.

luv ENTD R: VII-r N ES 3 ES Mad (1. WMWQA I 5 AM julr 62 N. PETERS. Photo-Lithographe Washington, D C.

- 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 F. W. WIESEBROOK'. j

Process of and Apparatus for Desulzphurizing and f reparing Ores.

No. 241,108. HG L Patented May 3,188l.

INVENTEIR Mid/21d. Udu m/g' WITN E3553,

' N. PET EH5, PhntoJJihugrapher, Washington, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK WV. "WIESEBROCK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO JOHN GEORGE GILLIG AND ADAM E. SOHATZ; SAID SCHATZ ASSIGNOR OF THREE-EIGHTHS TO THEODORA \VIESEBROOK, ALL OF SAME PLACE.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR DESULPHURIZING AND PREPARING ORES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,108, dated May 3, 1881.

Application filed October 7, 1879.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK W.WInsE- BROOK, of the city of New York, county of New York, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Process of and Apparatus for Desulphurizin g and Preparin Ores for the Extraction of Metals therefrom, of which the following is a specification.

In order to thoroughly effect the desulphuri- 1o zation of ores, it is necessary that the same should be subjected to the action of oxygen while in a highly-heated state, in order that the sulphur may be liberated. Heretofore this has been accomplished by passing a flame I 5 commingled with atmospheric air into a body of the ore by blowing a current of pulverized ore into the flame of a furnace, or by forcing a jet orjets of atmospheric air into a highlyheated furnace, into which the ore, in a reduced condition, is simultaneously introduced.

By the above-named methods' it has been found almost impossible to thoroughly desulphurize ores containing a large percentage of sulphur, and such methods, moreover, are tedious and expensive. I

The object of my invention is to obviate these objections and provide a means by which the ore may be thoroughly desulphurized, no matter what the percentage of sulphur may be,

and at a great reduction of time and expense; and to this end the invention consists, tirst,in a process for desulphurizin g ores by dropping thefinely-powdered ore into the oxidizin g-flame of a compound blow-pipe injector, the said 3 5 flame carrying an excess of oxygen with the blast-flame, whereby the air and ore are highly heated, and regulating the supply of ore and the strength of the blast to carry the ore entirely through retorts or chambers into suitable 4o receivers, where the highly-heated ore is oxidized, and to convey thefumes resulting from the desulphurization into gatherers or condensers, where they are condensed and collected; second, in an apparatus for desulphurizing ores,

4 5 of the combination of a series of retorts, provided with tubes or hoppers having feed-conveyers, with a series of blow-pipe injectors for heating and conveying the ores through the retorts by means of blast-flames of 'carbnreted and atmospheric air, as more fully hereinafter specified; third, in an apparatus for desulphurizing ores, of the combination of the feeding mechanism, the blow-pipes, and the retorts above mentioned, and a retort provided with a suitable conveyer and located in a suit- 5 5 able furnace, as more fully hereinafter specified; fourth, in the combination, in an apparatus for desulphurizing ores, of the feeding mechanism, blow-pipes, and retorts, one or more receivers connected with a fine leading to a condenser or gatherer, as more fully hereinafter set forth; and, fifth, in the combination, with the retorts and hoppers, the blow-pipe injectors, and a series of receivers, of a fur nace having a flue leading to the condenser, 6 as more fully hereinafter set forth. In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the apparatus employed in carrying out the invention. Fig. 2 represents a front elevation. Fig. 3 represents a vertical o section of the same; and Fig. 4, a plan of the air-carbureting tank, the coverbeiug removed. The letter A indicates a hopper attached to a feed-pipe, a, into which it opens. The said feed-pipe is provided with a screw-conveyer, a, by means of which a gradual or regulated delivery of ore to the retort B may be maintained. Thesaidfeed-pipe ispreferablylocated at a greater elevation than the retort, in such manner that/the ore may fall into the retort from above. One end of said retort is open for the introduction of the blast-flame, and at the other end the retort is connected to a receiver, B, which is of sufficient size to permit the blast to expend its power therein, so as to 8 5 allow the ore to settle to the bottom of the same. The said receiver B has a funnel-shaped bot tom, which serves as a hopper, andis connected with afeed-pipe, I), provided with a screw-con veyer, b, for the purpose of carrying the ore 0 to a retort, U, with which said pipe I) is connected. TheretortOis substantially similar in construction to the retort B above mentioned. The letter 0 indicates a receiver similar to the receiver B, the said receiver being con- 5 nected with the retort O. The bottom of said receiver is connected with a retort, D, similar to the retorts B and C before mentioned, by means of a tube, 0, provided with a screw-conveyer, c. The last-mentioned retort commu- I00 nicates with an upright flue, D, which connects at its bottom with a retort, F, provided with a screw-conveyer, f, which is of less diameter than the said retort, in order to allow an unobstructed passage of atmospheric air through the retort to assist in the final oxidization of the ore, as more fully hereinafter described.

The letter Gr indicates a furnace, in which said retort F is located, the retort passing entirely through the furnace, which is provided with proper doors,g g, and draft-openings 1 2 3 4 The letters Q R S, Fig. 3, indicate flues leadin gfrom the furnace to the chimney 9 through which the products of combustion escape.

The receivers B G D communicate with the fines E E, which lead to the condensers E, and are inclined in order to prevent the accumulation of the ore therein.

The condenser is provided with a perforated or foraminous partition, E near its upper end, through which a stream of water is caused to flow into the condenser in a shower or spray, in order to arrest the fine particles of ore and prevent their escape.

The respective serew-coiweycrs above mentioned are each provided at one end with bevelgear wheels 2, gearing into bevel-gear wheels e on ashaft, H, so as to convey the ore to the respective retorts in proper quantities.

The letter 1 indicates a blower havinga blastpipe, I and 1 which latter is provided with a stop-cock, i. The pipe 1 passes through the furnace in order that the air may be heated, and is provided at one end with the branch pipes i 1' 5, which are provided with suitable stop-cocks, and lead respectively to the nozzles P l P, the said pipes projecting into said nozzles, as shown in Fig. 3, forming a blowpipe injector.

The letters J J indicate oil-tanks, and K an intermediate air-carburetin g tank, which communicates with the tank J by means of a pump, J, pipej, and pipe L. The supply-pipe L has a stop-cock, L and branches L, the said branches connecting with a series of pipes, t l, which pass through the side of the carbureting-tank into the same, being perforated at their inner ends. The said tank K is provided with partitions k k, as shown in Fig. 4, the alternate partitions being set in such a manner that the space between them forms a circuitous channel, as shown by the arrows.

The letter M indicates an overflow-pipe inserted in the tank K at its bottom, extending sufliciently into the tank to maintain a proper quantity of oil therein. The lower end of said pipe leads into the tank J, in order to convey the overflow-oil from the tankK to said tank J.

The blast-pipe I connects with the carbureting-tank at one end of the circuitous channel, as shown at T, Fig. 4 of the drawings, and from the other end of said channel extend the pipes o o 0 provided with suitable stop-coeks, the said pipes. connecting respectively with the nozzles P P P, to convey the carbureted air to the same, and to regulate the flow for increasing or diminishing the blast-flame in its action upon the ore.

The letter N indicates a pipe connected at one end to the tank J, and provided with branches N N N the said pipe and branches being provided with suitable stop'cocks. The ends of the said pipe N and the branches N N pass through the nozzles P P P and connect with the ends of the blast-pipe injectors.

The branch N Fig. 1, is connected with the furnace, and is intended to convey oil to the same from the tank J, to be used as fuel when desired.

The branches N N 2 and pipe N are for the purpose of feeding oil to the nozzles when desired.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The reservoir J is properly filled with oil. A suitable quantity is then pumped into the tank J This oil, flowing through the pipe L, passes into the perforated pipes l l, and is distributed in spray between the partitions k k, and drops into the bottom of the ca-rbureti ng-tau k, where it collects until it reaches the end of the overflow-pipe M. Having heated the air-blast pipe and the retorts and receivers by means of the furnace, so as to prevent the absorption of heat from the blast-flames, the apparatus is in condition to commence the process of desulphurization. The hopper- A is then charged with the ore properly connninuted or pulverized,

and the blower is putin operation. The stopcock L is then opened, allowing the oil to flow into the carbureting-tank, the stop-cock i of the blast-pipe 1 being also opened. A current of air is thus forced through the channels is k and through the spray of oil, evaporating and absorbing the oil in its passage. The stopcocks of the blast-pipe injectors and gas-pipes are now opened and the gas or carbureted air ignited, after which the retorts are ready to receive the ore. Theshafting is then set in motion, rotating the screw-conveyors, so as to feed the ore to the apparatus. The delivery of the oreis regulated by the velocity of the shafting, which is adjusted so as to deliver the ore at greater or less speed, according as the percentage of sulphur in the same varies-the larger the percentage of sulphur the slower the feed, and vice versa.

The flame produced by the carbureted air is sufficient to desulphurize ore containing avery large percentage of sulphur; but should it be desired to still further augment its intensity, the stop-cock of the oil-pipe N may be opened, so as to allow a proper quantity of oil to flow directly into the current of heated air in the blast-pipe, which almost instantly evaporates and ignites the oil and forms an increased flame, which is also carried into the retorts. The current of blast-flame, as it is forced into the retorts, carries with it an additional supply of air, which enters around the blast-flame of the injector, whereby a powerful desulphurizing flame is projected into the retorts, directly into the ore as it falls into the same, insuring the most thorough heating prior to reaching the receiving or oxidizing chambers.

These retorts are of a length sufficient to cause the ore to be suspended in the blastflame until the same is sufficiently heated in order to absorb the oxygen from the atmosphere drawn in by the blast-flame, and as the blast-flame has sufficient oxygen for supporting its own combustion, the oxygen drawn in at the mouth of the retort by the force or impetus of the blast-flame is, by its passage through the retort, heated, so that on coming in contact with the heated ore the oxidation of the same is facilitated and insured.

It is obvious that the fine particles of ore, by reason of the force of the flame-blast, are kept in constant suspension and agitation, thus exposing them thoroughly to the action of the flame, by means of which the sulphur is eliminated. The particles of ore, upon reaching the end of the retort, are carried into the receiver B, which is of such size and length as to allow the force of the blast to nearly expend itself therein, but at the same time permit thehighlyheated particles to be thoroughly agitated and oxidized without being carried over into the condensers to any great extent, so that they will finally settle in the bottom ofsaid receiver, while the fumes pass over to the condenser through the flues by the slight force still exerted by the blast-flame, thus obviating the injurious results attendant upon carr ing the fumes and gases along with the ore-particles, as when thus carried along with the ores the particles are liable to become enveloped with the sulphurous fumes liberated by the heat, and thus oxidation is retarded or wholly prevented.

The ore, after settling in the receiver B, passes through the successive retorts until it finally reaches the retort F, from which it is discharged into a suitable receptacle.

Thus it is evident that a greater number of retorts and receivers than herein shown and described may be employed, if desired, whereby much expense and labor may be saved in handling ores where it is necessary to subject the same to the desulphurizil'lg process a number of successive times.

After the fumes and fine ore-particles pass through the line E, they enter the condenser E where, in their ascension, they are met by the water-spray, and are carried downward into a suitable tank or receiver and collected, and, if necessary, the fine particles of ore may be again I passed through a retort, and thus almost all of the metal saved.

When it is necessary to chloridize the ores, mechanical means for the introduction of the necessary ingredients and any suitable menstruum may be provided for the purpose.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The process herein described of desulphurizingorc, which consistsin droppin g the finelypowdered ore into the oxidizing-flame of the compound blow-pipe injector, admitting excess of air with the blast-flame, whereby the air and ore are highly heated, and regulating the supply 5r fine ore and the strength of the blastflame to carry the ore entirely through retorts or chambers into receivers, where the highlyheated ore is oxidized, and the fumes resulting from oxidation into condensers or gatherers, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus for desulphurizing ores, the combination ofthe series of retorts, provided with tubes or hoppers having feed-conveyers, with the series of blow-pipe injectors for heating and conveying the ores through the retorts by means of blast-flames of carbureted and atmospheric air, all substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In an apparatus for desulphurizin g ores, the combination of the series of retorts provided with tubes or hoppers having feed-conveyers, the series of blow-pipe injectors for heatingand conveying the orcs through theretorts by means of blast-flames of carbureted and atmospheric air, and the retort F, provided with conveyer f, located in the furnace G, all substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination, in an apparatus for desulphurizing ores, of the series of retorts provided with tubes or hoppers having feed-conveyors, the series of blow-pipeinjectors for heatin g and conveyingthe ores through the retorts by means of blast-flames of carbureted and atmospheric air, the receivers B C D, flue E, and condenser E all substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. The combination, in an apparatus for desulphurizing ores, of the series of retorts and hoppers, each of the latter provided with a conveyer, the series of blow-pipe injectors; the re ceivers B O D, furnace G, flue E, and condenser E all substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In witness I have hereunto set my name this 4th day of October, 187 9.

FREDERICK W. W'IESEBROOK.

In presence of-- FREDERICK OPPERMANN, J r., JOHN GEO. GILLIG.

ICC 

